Wis. Dental Association: Record-setting year helps Donated Dental Services top $5 million in care

CONTACT: Carol S. Weber, APR, Director of Public Relations

PHONE: 414-755-4108 (direct)

E-MAIL: cweber@wda.org

WEST ALLIS, WIS., July 20, 2009 – Dedicated volunteer Wisconsin Dental Association dentists participating in the WDA Foundation’s Donated Dental Services program provided a record-setting $1,017,347 of comprehensive oral health care to disabled, senior, poor and uninsured state residents who qualified for the program in the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year that ended June 30. Since this program began 11 years ago, 527 dentists have donated more than $5.2 million in care to 2,010 patients.

Donated Dental Services patients do not qualify for government assistance programs and cannot afford dental care, because a permanent disability, chronic illness or advanced age restricts their income-earning capability. The average patient requires extensive dental work, usually including bridges, crowns or dentures that today is valued at more than $3,500 per individual.

Since 1998, Donated Dental Services patients have been selected on the basis of financial need and a personal phone interview with a referral coordinator. A patient candidate then visits a volunteer dentist who assesses dental need and decides whether to accept the financial and clinical responsibilities of providing comprehensive dental care for the individual.

Members of the state Legislature worked with then Gov. Tommy Thompson to initially provide financial support for non-clinical program administrative costs at $40,000 annually through the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (now Department of Health Services). Since 2006, the state budget has included $60,000 annually to help increase Donated Dental Services staff capacity, so a growing number of eligible patients can be matched with WDA member dentists willing to donate their time, financial resources and professional expertise.

For every one dollar in state funds designated to program administration, participating dentists donate an average of $16 in clinical expertise, treatment and materials. In addition, 116 dental laboratories have donated more than $404,000 in supplies and services in the fabrication of bridges, crowns and dentures over 11 years.

WDA Insurance Programs Inc. and Delta Dental of Wisconsin have provided invaluable additional financial support for non-clinical administrative and lab costs not covered by the state grant.

People with physical or developmental disabilities often cannot care for their oral health and have difficulties getting treatment. Their problems are exacerbated, because they often lack the financial means but do not qualify for public assistance. Donated Dental Services helps restore patients’ oral health and improve their oral hygiene and self-esteem.

For more information on the Donated Dental Services program, residents of Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Fayette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties should contact Referral Coordinator Carol Shoemaker at 888-338-6852 or cshoemaker@wda.org. Individuals living in all other Wisconsin counties should contact Referral Coordinator Bonnie Townsend at 866-812-9840 or btownsend@wda.org.

A Waukesha resident, Shoemaker replaces Julie Wilk of Hartford who retired in June after more than 10 years of service to Donated Dental Services. Shoemaker has a background in health insurance with a focus on customer service.

The WDA Foundation was created as the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Dental Association in 1957. A qualified, tax-exempt corporation, the foundation provides scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students attending accredited schools in Wisconsin. It also gives financial support to projects providing dental care to the underserved and other dental-related philanthropic endeavors. The foundation also administers the Donated Dental Services program.

Established in 1870, the WDA is headquartered in West Allis. With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin. Its members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association – the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA or the WDA Foundation, call 414-276-4520 or visit http://www.wda.org.